Willmott Dixon Appointed For Kingwood's Facility

Kingswood, a major provider of residential educational activity centres in the UK, has appointed Willmott Dixon on a £7 million contract to construct its new flagship facility on the site of the former Earth Centre.

Work will begin in October and is due for completion in spring 2012.

The former Earth Centre has been vacant since 2004 and Kingswood was confirmed as the preferred purchaser of the site from Doncaster Council earlier this year. Kingswood currently operates nine educational centres which are visited by more than 145,000 pupils from 3,000 schools and 130 local authorities. The 50-acre site near Doncaster will be transformed into the Kingswood Dearne Valley Centre - a flagship educational centre bringing visitors to the area from throughout the country.

Paul Gilbert Kingswood CEO said: "We are investing more than £10 million to develop our new centre and it is very important to us to find a construction partner that has both the policies and approach to bring the former Earth Centre back to life in a way that embraces our commitment to education and the community.


"Willmott Dixon has the sustainable and education sector expertise that will deliver just that."

Anthony Dillon, managing director of Willmott Dixon in the North said: "We're delighted to be appointed on this project. Much of the sustainable technology that was installed in the former Earth Centre is still pioneering and our work will ensure that we protect and reclaim every aspect we can.

"We are also making sure that local businesses benefit as much as possible. For example, we monitor our use of subcontractors within a 10 or 30 mile radius to ensure as much work as possible is done by local companies. We will also work with Kingswood to reach out to local schools to keep them involved and informed as the project develops."

Work to be undertaken by Willmott Dixon includes the refurbishment of existing buildings including the welcome centre, conference building, café, multi-purpose hall, class rooms, reception and retail space, laser quest area, climbing wall and many satellite outbuildings. Accommodation for pupils and teachers will also be built to provide 120 rooms.

Willmott Dixon has a ten point set of environmental goals it sets on every project. This includes a commitment by 2012 to divert 100% of construction waste away from landfill.

(CD)